Free range / creek access?

[storiesandglass]

Hey all!!

We are just loving our baby ducklings to pieces. I'm brainstorming a bit for the summer ahead. We have a creek that runs through our property. It's not near their outdoor pen, but I plan to sit out with the ducks for a few hours daily to let them free range and I'm wondering if taking them down to the creek is a good or bad idea! Will not do this until they are full grown, disclaimer.

I have 9 ducks and 1 of me... are they likely to quickly move downstream and out of my reach and protection? Or will they stay near me or at least return to me when it's time to go back to their pen? I would prefer not to learn this lesson the hard way...

I'm also curious how much supervision you give them while allowing them to free range. I'm reading Duck Eggs Daily and many many posts here and several blogs as well, but I'm still uncertain about this next phase!! As of now, they follow me everywhere I go around the yard and it's the most darling thing ever.

 

[Unexpected chicken lover]

If you wait until theyre grown they should come when called and know where home is. Suggestion...gave a bag of treats on hand

 

[chickens really]

They won't follow you like your the Pied Piper..
I would not bother..Kiddie pools are just as fun...

 

[Unexpected chicken lover]

Or do as chickens really advises...more experienced than me for sure. As long as they have water im sure they will be happy

 

[atomic]

I feel this is a topic I can be of some helpful insight. I too have a stream running through my property, and it is such a source of joy for the ducks. And food! It is constantly moving at a good clip so it's always fresh water, kiddie pools get so nasty in what seems like only a minute! I put my babies outside in their pen for a week and half, two weeks or so before I let them outside to their own devices so they would become accustomed to where "their" area was. I also have a pair of adults to show them the ropes so to speak in terms of where their boundaries are and when it's time to come back to their houses. They've been free ranging during the day like the big ducks for a couple weeks with absolutely zero issue. I also leave their feed bins outside the front door in the yard of which they know they can come to at any time for a snack.

The streams current is fairly swift, but not so strong to over take them. They know when especially after a heavy rain and the current becomes stronger than usual to stay out.

Happy ducks!

 

[storiesandglass]

Thank you SO much for that response, this is wonderfully encouraging.